Vidosics, a Kalamazoo resident, said he first got involved with Bravata's investment opportunity several years ago at the recommendation of Bravata's brother.

"I didn't know John very well but I knew his brother and trusted him," Vidosics said.

Vidosics went to one of Bravata's seminars where he offered attendees a free lunch and told them their investments would be used to purchase real estate. Bravata, a Kalamazoo native who ran a Southfield real estate investment company called BBC Equities, promised the investors a 12 percent return on the money they invested, Vidosics said.

"In the first three or four months, I saw only one investment check," Vidosics said.

When the Securities and Exchange Commission began to investigate in 2009, Vidosics knew he might not see the thousands of dollars he invested again.

Bravata, 45, was arrested in 2011. His eight-week trial at U.S. District Court in Detroit came to an end Wednesday with his conviction. During the trial, the prosecution alleged Bravata defrauded more than 500 investors of more than $50 million, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Rather than investing the money in safe real estate transactions as they promised, much of the money was used by Bravata to support a lavish lifestyle, prosecutors said.

"White collar criminals may use sophisticated methods, but their crime is nothing more than stealing other people's money," said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.

Bravata's son, Antonio, was also found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Sentencing was set for June 18 in Detroit federal court. Each count against Bravata carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Vidosics said he doesn't expect to see restitution in the case.

"I don't think there is any money left. He was living very high on the hog," Vidosics said. "I'm getting over the fact that my money is gone. You have to go on living."

Aaron Mueller is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo
Gazette. Contact him at amuelle1@mlive.com or 269-568-3867.
Follow him on Twitter.